Devices and systems for reducing spray from nipple water valves, and related methods

ABSTRACT

According to an exemplary embodiment, an improved nipple water valve includes a nipple housing, a deflector, an annular seal, a nipple stem, a resilient element, and an orifice housing portion, assembled such that the deflector deflects water exiting the valve toward an internal surface of the nipple housing, thereby reducing spray. The deflector is also arranged to restrain movement of the nipple stem in a direction toward the deflector and to permit movement of the nipple stem away from the deflector to aid operation of the nipple water valve.

PRIORITY APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/212,035, filed on Mar. 14, 2014, entitled “Devices AndSystems For Reducing Spray From Nipple Water Valves, And RelatedMethods,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/794,683 entitled “Devices And Systems For Reducing Spray From NippleWater Valves, And Related Methods,” filed on Mar. 15, 2013, thedisclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The technology of this disclosure relates to reducing spray from nipplewater valves when operated in a livestock environment.

BACKGROUND

Nipple water valves are an effective and efficient tool for wateringlarge quantities of livestock, for example in a large farm setting. Anipple water valve, also commonly referred to as a nipple water or abite valve, has a threaded connection that mates with an outlet for awater source. In a neutral position, the nipple water valve maintains awatertight seal that prevents water from escaping the valve. When ananimal bites on a nipple stem that extends through a housing of thenipple water valve, a seal releases water through the valve allowing theanimal to drink.

Water spray is a serious problem in farming applications. Water valvesare often in close proximity to feed troughs and other items that can bedamaged or destroyed from excess water exposure. In addition, manyanimals, such as pigs and hogs, are intelligent enough to discover thatwater spray is a cooling agent, particularly in a hot environment suchas an industrial barn. Thus, a hog or other animal may continuously bitedown on a conventional nipple water valve to create a cooling spray,thereby wasting gallons of water, and destroying its feed and bedding inthe process. Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved nipplewater valve that reduces water spray, while retaining previousimprovements over the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Devices and systems for reducing spray from nipple water valves andrelated methods are disclosed herein. According to an exemplaryembodiment, an improved nipple water valve includes a nipple housing, adeflector, an annular seal, a nipple stem, a resilient element, and anorifice housing portion, assembled such that the deflector deflectswater exiting the valve toward an internal surface of the nipplehousing, thereby reducing spray. The deflector is also arranged torestrain movement of the nipple stem in a direction toward the deflectorand to permit movement of the nipple stem away from the deflector to aidoperation of the nipple water valve.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a deflector for a nipple watervalve for watering livestock is disclosed. The deflector is adapted tobe mounted in a nipple housing. The nipple housing is adapted to receivea nipple stem therethrough. The deflector is adapted to deflect watertoward an internal surface of the nipple housing. The deflector is alsoadapted to permit movement of the nipple stem into contact with theinternal surface of the nipple housing in a direction away from a mainbody of the deflector. The deflector is further adapted to preventmovement of the nipple stem into contact with the internal surface ofthe nipple housing in a direction toward the main body when thedeflector is mounted in the nipple housing.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a nipple water valve forwatering livestock is provided. The nipple water valve comprises anipple housing having an inlet, an outlet, and a cylindrical innersurface. The nipple water valve also comprises a nipple stem mounted inthe nipple housing such that an end of the nipple stem extends throughthe nipple housing toward the outlet and is movable toward thecylindrical inner surface of the nipple housing. The nipple water valvefurther comprises a deflector having a main body mounted in the nipplehousing such that the main body permits the nipple stem to be moved intocontact with an internal surface of the nipple housing in a directionaway from the main body. The deflector also prevents the nipple stemfrom being moved into contact with the internal surface of the nipplehousing in a direction toward the main body.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a nipple water valve kit isprovided. The nipple water valve kit comprises a nipple housing havingan inlet, an outlet, and a cylindrical inner surface. The nipple watervalve kit further comprises a nipple stem configured to be mounted inthe nipple housing such that an end of the nipple stem extends throughthe nipple housing toward the outlet and is movable toward thecylindrical inner surface of the nipple housing. The nipple water valvekit further comprises a deflector configured to be mounted on thecylindrical inner surface of the nipple housing such that a main bodypermits the end of the nipple stem to be moved into contact with aninternal surface of the nipple housing in a direction away from the mainbody. The deflector also prevents the end of the nipple stem from beingmoved into contact with the internal surface of the nipple housing in adirection toward the semi-annular portion.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate the scope of the presentdisclosure and realize additional aspects thereof after reading thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments inassociation with the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming a part ofthis specification illustrate several aspects of the invention, andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

FIG. 1A illustrates an isometric view of a conventional nipple watervalve according to the prior art;

FIG. 1B illustrates an isometric exploded view of the conventionalnipple water valve of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C illustrates a side cutaway view of the conventional nipple watervalve of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1D illustrates a side cutaway view of the conventional nipple watervalve of FIG. 1A that includes debris blocking a spring and an outlet;

FIG. 2A illustrates an isometric view of an alternative nipple watervalve according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2B illustrates an isometric exploded view of the alternative nipplewater valve of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C illustrates a side cutaway view of the alternative nipple watervalve of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A illustrates an isometric view of the deflector shown withrespect to the alternative nipple water valve of FIG. 2A that includeswater flow and spray from an outlet from absence of a deflector;

FIG. 3B illustrates a front view of the deflector of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C illustrates a rear view of the deflector of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3D illustrates a side view of the deflector of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A illustrates a side cutaway view of the operation of the nipplewater valve of FIGS. 2A-2C with a deflector removed, showing the waterflow and spray from the outlet;

FIG. 4B illustrates a side cutaway view of the operation of the nipplewater valve of FIGS. 2A-2C with a deflector in place, showing the waterflow and deflection of spray from the outlet by the deflector;

FIG. 5A illustrates a front view of a deflector according to analternate embodiment;

FIG. 5B illustrates a front view of a deflector according to analternate embodiment;

FIG. 5C illustrates a front view of a deflector according to analternate embodiment; and

FIG. 5D illustrates a front view of a deflector according to analternate embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information toenable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure andillustrate the best mode of practicing the disclosure. Upon reading thefollowing description in light of the accompanying drawing figures,those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosureand will recognize applications of these concepts not particularlyaddressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts andapplications fall within the scope of the disclosure and theaccompanying claims.

Devices and systems for reducing spray from nipple water valves andrelated methods are disclosed herein. According to an exemplaryembodiment, an improved nipple water valve includes a nipple housing, adeflector, an annular seal, a nipple stem, a resilient element, and anorifice housing portion, assembled such that the deflector deflectswater exiting the valve toward an internal surface of the nipplehousing, thereby reducing spray. The deflector is also arranged torestrain movement of the nipple stem in a direction toward the deflectorand to permit movement of the nipple stem away from the deflector to aidoperation of the nipple water valve.

FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate a perspective isometric view, exploded view, andside cutaway view of a conventional nipple water valve 200. A nipplehousing 202 of the conventional nipple water valve 200 has an inlet 204,an outlet 206, and a substantially cylindrical inner surface 208. Anannular flange 210 having an inlet-facing seat 212 is formed on thecylindrical inner surface 208, and an inlet-facing threaded portion 216is located at the inlet 204 of the nipple housing 202. A spring 218 orother resilient element is disposed in the nipple housing 202 with anoutlet-facing end 220 abutting the inlet-facing seat 212 of the annularflange 210. A nipple stem 222 is disposed through the spring 218 suchthat a distal end 224 of the nipple stem 222 partially extends from theoutlet 206 of the nipple housing 202. The nipple stem 222 includes anannular flange 226 with an outlet-facing seat 228 that abuts aninlet-facing end 230 of the spring 218, and an inlet-facing seat 232that carries a rubber seal 234.

An intermediate portion 236 having an inlet 238 and an outlet 240 isconnected to the inlet-facing threaded portion 216 of the nipple housing202 via an outlet-facing threaded portion 242 of the intermediateportion 236. An outlet-facing seat 244 of the intermediate portion 236abuts the rubber seal 234 and forms a watertight seal between the rubberseal 234 and the outlet 240 of the intermediate portion 236. When thedistal end 224 of the nipple stem 222 is moved in any direction towardthe cylindrical inner surface 208 of the nipple housing 202, however, anopening is created between the rubber seal 234 and the outlet 240 of theintermediate portion 236, thereby allowing water to flow freely out ofthe outlet 206 of the nipple water valve 200. When the nipple stem 222is released, the spring 218 biases the annular flange 226 back towardsthe outlet 240 of the intermediate portion 236, thereby reforming thewatertight seal. The intermediate portion 236 has a restrictor 246connected to the inlet 238 to regulate incoming water flow, and has aninlet-facing threaded portion 248 for mating with a standard hose,faucet or other plumbing connection (not shown).

The conventional nipple water valve 200 of FIGS. 1A-1C has a number oflimitations that add to the cost and complexity of the device. Forexample, this design requires a specialized spring 218, which has atapering radius between the outlet-facing end 220 and the inlet-facingend 230 to allow the nipple stem 222 to move freely and permit thenipple water valve 200 to be activated. The number of machined partsrequired to produce this conventional nipple water valve 200 alsoincreases the cost of the valve. In addition, the spring 218 is locateddownstream of the watertight seal between the rubber seal 234 and theoutlet 240 of the intermediate portion 236. As shown in an alternateside cutaway view of FIG. 1D, this location makes the spring 218 moresusceptible to wear, corrosion, jamming, and/or the introduction of dirtand biological matter 250 that can clog the spring 218 and/or outlet206.

To overcome the drawbacks of the conventional nipple water valve 200 ofFIGS. 1A-1D, an alternative nipple water valve 252 has been developed.FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate a respective isometric view, exploded view, andside cutaway view of the alternative nipple water valve 252. A nipplehousing 254 of the alternative nipple water valve 252 has an inlet 256,an outlet 258 and a substantially cylindrical inner surface 260. Anannular flange 262 having an inlet-facing seat 264 is formed on thecylindrical inner surface 260. An inlet-facing inner threaded portion266 and an inlet-facing outer threaded portion 268 are also located atthe inlet 256 of the nipple housing 254. Unlike the conventional nipplewater valve 200 of FIGS. 1A-1D, however, an annular seal 270, such as arubber O-ring, is disposed against the inlet-facing seat 264 of theannular flange 262. A nipple stem 272 is disposed through the annularseal 270 such that a distal end 274 of the nipple stem 272 partiallyextends from the outlet 258 of the nipple housing 254. The nipple stem272 includes an annular flange 276 with an outlet-facing seat 278 thatabuts the annular seal 270 and an inlet-facing seat 280 that abuts anoutlet-facing end 282 of resilient element 284 (i.e., a spring). In analternative embodiment, the spring 284 could be replaced with anotherresilient or spring-like element, such as a silicone insert.

The alternative nipple water valve 252 includes an orifice housingportion 286 having an inlet 288 and an outlet 290 connected to theinlet-facing inner threaded portion 266 of the nipple housing 254 via anoutlet-facing threaded portion 292 of the orifice housing portion 286.An outlet-facing seat 294 of the orifice housing portion 286 abuts aninlet-facing end 296 of the spring 284. When the distal end 274 of thenipple stem 272 is moved in any direction toward the cylindrical innersurface 260 of the nipple housing 254, an opening is created between theannular seal 270 and the outlet-facing seat 278 of the nipple stem 272,allowing water to flow freely out of the outlet 258 of the alternativenipple water valve 252. When the nipple stem 272 is released, the spring284 biases the annular flange 262 back towards the annular seal 270,thereby reforming the watertight seal. The orifice housing portion 286includes a restrictor orifice plate 297 connected at the inlet 256 toregulate incoming water flow, and also includes a filter screen 298disposed across the inlet 256 to filter out solid debris in the watersupply. The orifice housing portion 286 is configured such that mountingof the orifice housing portion 286 to the nipple housing 254 via theinlet-facing inner threaded portion 266 does not interfere with theattachment of a standard hose, faucet, or other plumbing connection (notshown) to the inlet-facing outer threaded portion 268 of the nipplehousing 254.

The alternative nipple water valve 252 has a number of advantages overthe conventional nipple water valve 200 of FIGS. 1A-1D. For example, thealternative nipple water valve 252 contains fewer parts and has asimplified mechanism that reduces manufacturing cost. For example, thealternative nipple water valve 252 includes a “rear-spring” design thatdisposes the spring 284 upstream of the nipple stem 272. The spring 284therefore does not need to accommodate movement of the distal end 274 ofthe nipple stem 272 within the nipple housing 254. As a result, astandard, straight spring 284 can be used in place of a more specializedtapered spring, such as the spring 218 of the conventional nipple watervalve 200 of FIGS. 1A-1D. Unlike the spring 218 of the conventionalnipple water valve 200, which has a tapering radius to accommodatemovement of the distal end 224 of the nipple stem 272, the spring 284 ofthe alternative nipple water valve 252 has a constant radius, whichreduces manufacturing costs by allowing for use of less expensive,simpler, and more standardized springs, such as the spring 284. Thisdesign also reduces cleaning and maintenance costs because the spring284 is not as exposed as the spring 218 of the conventional nipple watervalve 200. Because the spring 284 of the alternative nipple water valve252 is located behind the watertight seal, the spring 284 is lesssusceptible to clogging with dirt and biological matter, such as thedirt and biological matter 250 of FIG. 1D.

In addition, the alternative nipple water valve 252 includes a deflector300 mounted in the outlet 258 of the nipple housing 254. The deflector300 is arranged to deflect water exiting the nipple water valve 252 byreducing the flow of water in a direction of a longitudinal axis of thenipple housing 254 and directing water toward the cylindrical innersurface 260 of the nipple housing 254, thereby reducing spray.

Spray is a serious issue in many livestock watering applications. Forexample, water within a typical water line can be provided at fortypounds per square inch (40 psi) such that, when a nipple water valve isopened, such as the conventional nipple water valve 200 of FIGS. 1A-1D,water rushes out through the opening unevenly. This is because theopening between a nipple stem and a nipple housing of a nipple watervalve, such as the nipple water valve 200 or 252, creates a narrow,non-uniformly shaped passage that creates a highly turbulent flow out ofthe nipple water valve. As will be described in greater detail withrespect to FIGS. 3A-3D, this passage can cause water to spray in alldirections when a nipple water valve is opened.

Therefore, the deflector 300 having a main body 302 is provided todeflect water exiting the outlet 258 of the nipple water valve 252,thereby reducing spray. The deflector 300 is configured to permitmovement of the nipple stem 272 such that the distal end 274 can bemoved into contact with the cylindrical inner surface 260 of the nipplehousing 254 in a direction away from the main body 302 of the deflector300. Thus, the deflector 300 does not interfere with the release ofwater from the nipple water valve 252, for example when an animal bitesdown on the nipple stem 272 and the nipple housing 254.

In some embodiments, the deflector 300 may be arranged to preventmovement of the nipple stem 272 toward the cylindrical inner surface 260of the nipple housing 254 in a direction toward the main body 302 of thedeflector 300. This feature helps prevent foreign material that maybecome jammed between an end of the nipple stem 272 and the nipplehousing 254 from pushing the nipple stem 272 upward, thereby preventingwater loss. FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate a respective isometric view, frontview, rear view, and side cutaway view of the deflector 300 according tothe embodiment of FIGS. 2A-2C. It should be understood that, in FIGS.3A-3D and elsewhere herein, like elements are referred to using likereference numbers.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 2A-2C and 3A-3D, the main body 302 of thedeflector 300 has a semi-annular shape having an external radius 304 andan internal radius 306. In this embodiment, the external radius 304 issubstantially the same as the internal radius 308 of the nipple housing254 (shown in FIG. 2C). Thus, in some embodiments, the deflector 300 maybe held in place in the nipple housing 254 by a friction fit. In thisembodiment, the deflector 300 includes an annular protrusion 310 forreleasably mating with an annular indentation 312 in the nipple housing254, thereby securing the deflector 300 in the nipple housing 254. Inanother embodiment, a plurality of annular protrusions 310 may mate withone or more annular indentations 312 in the nipple housing 254, or viceversa. In other embodiments, the deflector 300 may be held in place byadhesive, fasteners, or other methods (not shown). The deflector mayalso be permanently attached to the cylindrical inner surface 260 of thenipple housing 254, such as by welding, or may be integrally formed withthe cylindrical inner surface 260 of the nipple housing 254, such as bymolding or machining. The deflector 300 may be formed from a variety ofmaterials, such as nylon, thermoplastic, brass, stainless steel, orother plastics, non-corrosive metals, or other suitable materials.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 2A-2C and 3A-3D, the internal radius 306 ofthe main body 302 is substantially equal to a cross sectional radius 314of the nipple stem 272. In this embodiment, the main body 302 extendsone hundred eighty degrees (180°) around the top of the nipple stem 272,thereby preventing movement of the nipple stem 272 in any upwarddirection toward the cylindrical inner surface 260 of the nipple housing254. In other embodiments, depending on the extent to which the mainbody 302 extends around the nipple stem 272, the deflector 300 mayrestrain movement of the nipple stem 272 to a lesser extent.

In this embodiment, the deflector 300 further includes guide portions316 that extend downward from the main body 302 of the deflector 300.The guide portions 316 are arranged to further restrain horizontalmovement of the nipple stem 272, such that the nipple stem 272 iseffectively movable only in a downward direction. In addition, the guideportions 316 aid the main body 302 in deflecting water toward the bottomof the cylindrical inner surface 260 of the nipple housing 254, therebyfurther reducing spray. In this embodiment, the guide portions 316 arecoplanar with the main body 302 and are also integrally formed with themain body 302.

The deflector 300 also includes an annular portion 318 along alongitudinal axis of the deflector 300. The annular portion 318 has anexternal radius 320 that is the same as the external radius 304 of themain body 302 and the internal radius 308 of the nipple housing 254. Theannular portion 318 also has an internal radius 322 that is larger thanthe internal radius 306 of the main body 302, thereby permitting thedistal end 274 of the nipple stem 272 to be moved into contact with thecylindrical inner surface 260 of the nipple housing 254 withoutcontacting or otherwise interfering with the annular portion 318.

A comparison of the operation of the alternative nipple water valve 252with and without the deflector 300 is illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B.FIG. 4A illustrates a side cutaway view of the operation of the nipplewater valve 252 of FIGS. 2A-2C with the deflector 300 removed. As can beseen in FIG. 4A, when the nipple stem 272 is pressed toward thecylindrical inner surface 260 of the nipple housing 254, water flows outthe opening created by the nipple stem 272 at the bottom of O-ring 270.Water flows around the nipple stem 272 and over the top of the nipplestem 272 where another opening has been created between the nipple stem272 and the O-Ring 270 and nipple housing 254. This operation causeswater to be sprayed from the nipple water valve 252 at high pressurefrom the top of the nipple stem 272 and out of the open upper end of thenipple housing 254.

FIG. 4B illustrates a side cutaway view of the operation of the nipplewater valve 252 of FIGS. 2A-2C with the deflector 300 in place. As canbe seen in FIG. 4B, the high velocity spray from the top of the nipplestem 272 is slowed and blocked by the deflector 300, which allows morewater to flow back down around the nipple stem 272 by force of gravityat a reduced speed and pressure. In this manner, the deflector 300prevents from spraying out of an open upper end of the nipple housing254 by the main body 302 of the deflector 300 without otherwise impedingthe rate of flow of water from the nipple water valve 252. Thus, it canbe seen that the inclusion of the deflector 300 can significantly reducespray from the nipple water valve 252.

FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate alternative embodiments of different deflectorsthat can be used as substitutes for the deflector 300 of FIGS. 2A-2C and3A-3D. FIG. 5A illustrates a deflector portion 324 having thesemi-annular main body 302 of deflector 300 of FIGS. 3A-3D, and anannular portion 318 only, according to an exemplary embodiment. In thisembodiment, cost savings may be achieved by omitting guide portions 316so that less material is used. FIG. 5B illustrates an alternatedeflector 326 having a semi-annular main body 302 and guide portions 316only, according to an exemplary embodiment. A similar annular protrusion310 may hold this deflector 326 in place within the recess 312 of nipplehousing 254 (not shown). Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 5A, costsavings may be achieved by using less material when manufacturing thedeflector 326.

FIG. 5C illustrates a deflector 328 having a non-semi-annular main body330 according to an exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment, thedeflector 328 includes a straight, flat shape, which is arranged torestrain vertical movement of the nipple stem (such as the nipple stem272 of FIGS. 3A-3D) and to reduce spray emitted by the nipple housing(such as the nipple housing 254) when the nipple water valve isactivated, such as the nipple water valve 252 of FIGS. 2A-2C and 3A-3D.

FIG. 5D illustrates a deflector 332 having a semi-annular main body 302′that extends through ninety degrees (90°). In this embodiment, aninternal surface 334 of the semi-annular main body 302′ acts as a seatinto which the spring biases the nipple stem (such as the spring 284 andthe nipple stem 272 of FIGS. 3A-3D) into the internal surface 334 of thesemi-annular main body 302′ without overly restraining horizontalmovement of the nipple stem within the nipple housing (such as thenipple stem 272 and the nipple housing 254 of FIGS. 3A-3D).

Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modificationsto the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. All suchimprovements and modifications are considered within the scope of theconcepts disclosed herein and the claims that follow.

We claim:
 1. A deflector for a nipple water valve for wateringlivestock, the deflector comprising: a main body adapted to be mountedin a nipple housing, the nipple housing being adapted to receive anipple stem therethrough, the main body including a semi-annular portionand an annular portion connected to the semi-annular portion, theannular portion being adapted to be mounted in the nipple housing and toreceive the nipple stem therethrough; wherein the main body is adaptedto: deflect water toward an internal surface of the nipple housing;permit movement of the nipple stem into contact with the internalsurface of the nipple housing in a direction away from the main body;and prevent movement of the nipple stem into contact with the internalsurface of the nipple housing in a direction toward the main body whenthe deflector is mounted in the nipple housing; wherein: thesemi-annular portion has a first external radius about a longitudinalaxis of the nipple water valve substantially equal to an internal radiusof the nipple housing about the longitudinal axis; the semi-annularportion has a first internal radius about the longitudinal axissubstantially equal to an external radius of the nipple stem about thelongitudinal axis, such that the semi-annular portion permits movementof the nipple stem into contact with the internal surface of a nipplehousing outlet in a direction away from the semi-annular portion, andprevents movement of the nipple stem into contact with the internalsurface of the nipple housing outlet in a direction toward thesemi-annular portion when the deflector is mounted in the nipplehousing; the annular portion has a first external radius about thelongitudinal axis substantially equal to the internal radius of thenipple housing; and the annular portion has a first internal radiusabout the longitudinal axis larger than the first external radius of thenipple stem.
 2. The deflector of claim 1, wherein the annular portiondoes not prevent movement of the nipple stem into contact with theinternal surface of the nipple housing when the deflector is mounted inthe nipple housing.
 3. The deflector of claim 1, wherein thesemi-annular portion restrains flow of the water from the nipple housingin the direction of the longitudinal axis.
 4. The deflector of claim 1,wherein the semi-annular portion is unitary with the nipple housing. 5.The deflector of claim 1, wherein the semi-annular portion extendsthrough approximately 90 degrees.
 6. The deflector of claim 1, furthercomprising guide portions connected to the semi-annular portion forrestraining lateral movement of the nipple stem.
 7. The deflector ofclaim 6, wherein the guide portions are unitary with the semi-annularportion.
 8. The deflector of claim 6, wherein the guide portions arecoplanar with the semi-annular portion.
 9. The deflector of claim 6,wherein the guide portions permit movement of the nipple stem intocontact with the internal surface of the nipple housing in at least onedirection.
 10. The deflector of claim 1, wherein the deflector iscomposed of plastic.
 11. The deflector of claim 1, wherein the deflectoris composed of non-corrosive metal.
 12. The deflector of claim 1,wherein the deflector is composed of a material selected from the groupconsisting of: nylon; thermoplastic; stainless steel; and brass.
 13. Thedeflector of claim 1, wherein the deflector is sized to form a frictionfit in the nipple housing.
 14. The deflector of claim 1, wherein thedeflector includes at least one protrusion for mating with one or morecorresponding indentations in the nipple housing.
 15. The deflector ofclaim 1, wherein the deflector includes at least one indentation formating with one or more corresponding protrusions in the nipple housing.16. The deflector of claim 1, wherein the main body further comprises: afirst guide portion having a first internal surface extending downwardfrom the semi-annular portion; and a second guide portion having asecond internal surface substantially parallel to the first internalsurface of the first guide portion, the second internal surfaceextending downward from the semi-annular portion; wherein the firstguide portion and the second guide portion of the main body form avertical channel having a constant width substantially equal to twice asecond internal radius of the semi-annular portion, such that horizontalmovement of the nipple stem is restrained.
 17. A deflector for a nipplewater valve for watering livestock, the deflector comprising: a mainbody adapted to be mounted in a nipple housing, the nipple housing beingadapted to receive a nipple stem therethrough, the main body comprising:a semi-annular portion having a first external radius about alongitudinal axis of the nipple water valve substantially equal to aninternal radius of the nipple housing about the longitudinal axis, and afirst internal radius about the longitudinal axis substantially equal toan external radius of the nipple stem about the longitudinal axis; andan annular portion connected to the semi-annular portion, the annularportion being adapted to be mounted in the nipple housing and to receivethe nipple stem therethrough, the annular portion has a first externalradius about the longitudinal axis substantially equal to the internalradius of the nipple housing, and the first internal radius about thelongitudinal axis larger than the first external radius of the nipplestem; a first guide portion having a first internal surface extendingdownward from the semi-annular portion; and a second guide portionhaving a second internal surface substantially parallel to the firstinternal surface of the first guide portion, the second internal surfaceextending downward from the semi-annular portion; wherein thesemi-annular portion permits movement of the nipple stem into contactwith an internal surface of a nipple housing outlet in a direction awayfrom the semi-annular portion, and prevents movement of the nipple steminto contact with the internal surface of the nipple housing outlet in adirection toward the semi-annular portion when the deflector is mountedin the nipple housing; and wherein the first guide portion and thesecond guide portion of the main body form a vertical channel having aconstant width substantially equal to twice a second internal radius ofthe semi-annular portion, such that horizontal movement of the nipplestem is restrained.
 18. The deflector of claim 17, wherein the annularportion does not prevent movement of the nipple stem into contact withthe internal surface of the nipple housing when the deflector is mountedin the nipple housing.
 19. The deflector of claim 17, wherein thesemi-annular portion is unitary with the nipple housing.
 20. Thedeflector of claim 17, wherein the semi-annular portion extends throughapproximately 90 degrees.
 21. The deflector of claim 17, wherein thedeflector is sized to form a friction fit in the nipple housing.
 22. Thedeflector of claim 17, wherein the deflector includes at least oneprotrusion for mating with one or more corresponding indentations in thenipple housing.